Maharashtra’s Sugarcane & Sugar Production Under Threat as Rain Deficit Looms

Pune, the sugar hub of Maharashtra, is currently grappling with a severe water crisis as the state's dams are left with just 19 percent of their total water capacity, as per data released by the government.

While the Konkan region has been relatively unaffected by deficient rainfall this season, other parts of the state have received considerably less rainfall than expected. This alarming situation has raised concerns among sugarcane farmers, who heavily rely on adequate water supply for their crops.

Tatya Shirsat, a farmer from Karad in Satara district, expressed his worry over the depleting water levels in dams, which has led to irrigation restrictions imposed by the local irrigation department. He highlighted that the scarcity of water would adversely affect the growth of sugarcane and could potentially impact the sugar extraction rate as well. The looming water shortage has left farmers hesitant to initiate new sugarcane plantations due to the prevailing rain deficiency.

Last year's sugarcane yield was lower than expected due to a higher share of ratoon crops and uneven distribution of rainfall, as reported by industry experts. State government officials anticipate a 40,000-hectare increase in sugarcane cultivation this season compared to the previous year. However, this projection is subject to change due to the delayed onset of the monsoon. The delayed monsoon could significantly impact the overall cultivation and production of sugarcane in the region.

The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) had previously emphasized the substantial water consumption associated with sugarcane cultivation in Maharashtra, accounting for nearly 70 percent of the state's irrigation water usage.

To address this concern, the state government had decided in 2017 to make drip irrigation mandatory for sugarcane crops after 2019. However, the implementation of this plan has remained largely on paper due to a lukewarm response from farmers.

The government, along with agricultural authorities, must urgently explore sustainable irrigation solutions and encourage farmers to adopt water-conserving techniques to mitigate the adverse effects of the water scarcity.

Additionally, efforts should be made to raise awareness among farmers about the importance of drip irrigation and its potential to alleviate water stress while ensuring the sustainability of the sugarcane sector.